Page 25 of Defender

Brandon Han and Jon Hatton, two of Omega’s top profilers, searched through the files.Most of the SWAT team remembered what had happened with George Harper four years ago without having to look at the file.

Derek pointed to the picture.“Harper Sr.was the genius who tried to rob a jewelry store, then took four people hostage when the plan went south.He killed one hostage before Ashton took him out via sniper rifle.”

Everyone around the table murmured their agreement.They all remembered.The girl who died had been a part-time college student.Nineteen years old.

“Ashton’s kill was deemed a clean shot,” Lillian pointed out.“Internally and by an external review board.”

Derek nodded.“That’s correct.No one is calling the case into question.Except evidently George’s son, Curtis Harper.”He pointed to the picture again.

Jon Hatton closed the file he’d been studying.“Harper’s fingerprint was found at the crime scene.He wiped down the rifle he used, but evidently he touched one of the shell casings.We also caught him on camera inside the office building.”

Ashton stood up, unable to sit any longer.“So he, what, followed me to the florist and set up shop across the street?”

Brandon shrugged.“He might have been waiting for an opportunity for days or weeks and this happened to be it.”

Ashton scrubbed a hand over his face.“George Harper has been dead for four years.Why would his son want to get revenge on me now?That doesn’t make any sense.”

Murmurs of agreement floated around the room.“We’re not sure,” Brandon replied.“We’re going to see what we can find out about him and do a full profile.”

“He’ll have gone to ground now.”Ashton leaned against the wall, studying the man’s picture.“Every law enforcement agency in Colorado is looking for him.He won’t just be wandering around.”

“Agreed,” Derek said.“But everyone needs to watch their back, especially you Ashton.He might be hiding right now, but we can safely assume he’s not finished.If Harper decides...”

He trailed off as everyone’s phones began to buzz.Within moments, everyone was standing.

The Omega SWAT team had just been called in for duty.

Derek walked over to the computer, speaking as he read the update.“Alright, people, looks like Harper isn’t the only idiot who’s decided to go crazy this week.We’ve got a hostage situation at a grocery store at the corner of Broad and Michaels.Everybody suit up, we’re out in ten minutes.”

“Who takes hostages in a grocery store?”Roman muttered.“That’s like the worst tactical situation on the planet.”

Ashton shrugged.“Is Matarazzo going?”Joe was Omega’s top hostage negotiator.

“He’s already on his way,” Derek said.Everyone ran out of the conference room to grab what they needed.

Curtis Harper would have to wait.

* * *

LITTLECHLOELOVEDto be outside in her stroller.Now that she was becoming more secure at walking, she often wanted to toddle beside it rather than be in it, but that didn’t bother Summer.Summer couldn’t resist the huge smile that lit her daughter’s face every time they went outdoors.

Right now they were walking, as they did a couple times a week if the weather permitted, to the grocery store a few blocks away.Summer used to be able to get there and back pretty quickly when she could push the stroller, but now the toddler set the pace.

Summer felt thankful once again that she had a job that allowed her to work from home and around Chloe’s schedule.Joe Matarazzo had provided that job—because of his wealth and media attention, he’d needed someone as a personal social media specialist/press secretary.Joe kept his Omega Sector work as separate as possible from his personal life, but he’d needed someone he could trust that would speak for him online.Summer also searched for and helped spin any damaging stories others might try to publish about him or his business ventures.

Summer was thankful for the work that challenged her mind and offered creative avenues and had found herself quite good at it.Joe had probably only offered her the job after Tyler had died because of his guilt about his part in Tyler’s death, but it had worked out for both of them.

Summer had never blamed Joe for Tyler’s death.She’d only ever blamed the person fully responsible: a disgruntled ex-employee who had walked into Tyler’s office building with the intent of killing everyone.Tyler had been one of the casualties before Joe and his Omega Sector team could take the killer down.

Even though she didn’t blame Joe, she’d still taken his job offer since she’d been six months pregnant and totally alone.But after a few months they’d both found she had a knack as an online personal assistant and she’d taken on the social media presence for some of Joe’s charitable organizations and businesses as well.

The condo she lived in was also owned by Joe and his wife, Laura.Summer’s rent was probably highly reduced—again, out of some misplaced guilt on Joe’s part—and soon Summer would have to confront them about that again.She’d tried to make her arguments a few months ago when they’d come over for dinner that a reduced rent rate wasn’t necessary, but Laura had just touched Summer on the arm.

“Joe wants to do this.We both know you don’t blame him for Tyler’s death, but knowing you’re not under any financial pressure helps Joe.I promise if we need the money, I will let you know.”

The Matarazzos were billionaires so she doubted Laura and Joe would be demanding more money from her any time soon.

But maybe she would check with Joe or Laura and make sure they knew how much extra time Ashton had been spending at her condo over the past few months.

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